A History of the Popes

by O'Malley, John W.

• ISBN13: 9781580512275
• ISBN10: 1580512275
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-11-30
• Publisher: Sheed & Ward

Summary

A History of the Popes tells the story of the oldest living institution in the Western world ”the papacy. From its origins in Saint Peter, Jesus' chief disciple, through Pope Benedict XVI today, the popes have been key players in virtually all of the great dramas of the western world in the last two thousand years. Acclaimed church historian John W. O'Malley's engaging narrative examines the 265 individuals who have claimed to be Peter's successors. Rather than describe each pope one by one, the book focuses on the popes that shaped pivotal moments in both church and world history. The author does not shy away from controversies in the church, and includes legends like Pope Joan and a comprehensive list of popes and antipopes to help readers get a full picture of the papacy. This simultaneously reverent yet critical book will appeal to readers interested in both religion and history as it chronicles the saints and sinners who have led the Roman Catholic Church over the past 2000 years. The author draws from his popular audio CD lecture series on the topic, 2,000 Years of Papal History, available through Now You Know Media (www.nowyouknowmedia.com).

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
From the Margins to the Center of the Roman World
Peter: Bishop of Rome?	p. 3
After Peter and Paul	p. 13
Constantine: The Thirteenth Apostle	p. 23
Prosperity to Crisis: Damasus and Leo the Great	p. 33
Gregory the Great	p. 43
Bringing Order Out of Chaos
Greeks, Lombards, Franks	p. 53
Charlemagne: Savior or Master?	p. 65
Their Darkest Hour	p. 75
Saving the Papacy from Itself	p. 85
Gregory VII: Who's in Charge Here?	p. 95
Development, Decline, Disarray
Compromises, Crusades, Councils, Concordats	p. 109
Innocent III: Vicar of Christ	p. 119
Boniface VIII: Big Claims, Big Humiliation	p. 129
Avignon: The Babylonian Captivity	p. 139
Three Popes at a Time: The Great Western Schism	p. 149
Renaissance and Reformation
The Restored Papacy	p. 161
The Renaissance Popes	p. 171
Luther, Leo, and the Aftermath	p. 179
Paul III: A Turning Point	p. 189
Five Popes and a Council	p. 199
The New Rome	p. 209
Into the Modern Era
The Storm Breaks	p. 221
Pius VII: Bowed Down and Raised Up	p. 231
Beleaguered, Infallible, and Prisoner Again	p. 239
Leo XIII: Searching for Solutions	p. 251
Pius X: Confronting Modern Culture	p. 261
The Papacy as a Global Institution
War, Peace, Fascism	p. 271
Pius XII: Saint or Sinner?	p. 281
John XXIII: Peace and Reconciliation	p. 291
Paul VI: In a Tight Spot	p. 303
John Paul II: The World Is My Parish	p. 313
Epilogue	p. 325
List of Popes	p. 331
Notes	p. 337
Index	p. 341
About the Author	p. 351
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